Patents by Inventor John W. Schnell

John W. Schnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7278561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a head valve assembly for a pneumatic fastener including a piston assembly reciprocated within a cylinder assembly for driving a fastener and a housing having an end cap for at least partially enclosing the head valve assembly. The head valve assembly includes a valve piston for causing supply pressure to be ported to the piston assembly for moving the piston assembly within the cylinder assembly from a non-actuated position to an actuated position for driving the fastener. Further, an inner cap is disposed within the end cap around the valve piston. The inner cap includes an inlet port for porting pressure to the valve piston. In addition, a main seal is coupled to the valve piston for sealing the cylinder assembly from supply pressure while pressure is ported to the valve piston by the inner cap for holding the piston assembly in the non-actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Schnell, Daniel Paxton Wall, Timothy E. Terrell, Daniel U. Goodwin, Barbara A. Rose
  • Publication number: 20070231046
    Abstract: A cleaning device having a cleaning solution that can be heated is disclosed. The cleaning device has a fluid reservoir connected to a handle wherein the fluid reservoir contains a volume of cleaning fluid. The device also contains a heating unit disposed within the cavity in the fluid reservoir and has a first reactant chamber with a first reactant and a second reactant chamber with a second reactant. When the reactants are mixed, heat is generated to heat the cleaning fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Bryan S. Whiffen, John W. Schnell, Carlton R. Lay
  • Patent number: 7275900
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elevating mechanism, in particular to an elevating mechanism for routers, is configured for easy micro adjustment and coarse or macro adjustment. In an embodiment, a power tool includes a base configured to adjustably receive a motor housing for operating a working tool. A worm drive is pivotally coupled, in an eccentric configuration, to an eccentric lever. The eccentric lever is adjustably coupled to at least one of the housing or the base such that the eccentric lever is operable to cause the worm drive to be positioned into an engaged position with a rack assembly and a released position wherein the worm drive is remote from the rack assembly. The elevating mechanism is operable to permit rotational micro adjustment and macro manual adjustment wherein the worm drive is remote from the rack assembly for permitting coarse adjustment of the motor housing with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 7235005
    Abstract: A sander comprised of a high voltage direct current motor for providing rotational torque to the sander is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor housing generally encompasses the motor for enclosure of the motor. The motor housing being generally contoured to be received by a human hand and sized to a generally sized human hand. Further, a sanding assembly is operationally coupled to the motor housing for providing an abrasive surface to be used to sand a desired surface. The use of a voltage direct current motor allows the belt sander to be generally the size of a human hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Schnell, Daniel Paxton Wall
  • Patent number: 7220174
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable drywall sander capable of imparting more than one type of motion. In an exemplary embodiment, the sander includes a power unit with a motor and a sanding assembly coupled to the power unit. A telescopic support arm assembly is coupled to the sanding assembly and the power unit for supporting the sanding assembly. The telescopic support arm assembly includes a first support arm with a first and a second end and a second support arm with a first and second end. The first end of the first support arm being coupled to the power unit and the second end of the second support arm being coupled to the sanding assembly. A collapsible drive shaft is substantially enclosed by the telescopic support arm assembly. The telescopic support arm assembly and the collapsible drive shaft allow the length of the telescopic assembly to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell, Daniel Paxton Wall
  • Patent number: 7165300
    Abstract: A portable pocket cutter employs a shaping assembly and a boring assembly, connected via a frame and coupling assembly, for constructing a pocket joint in a workpiece. The frame is at least partially supported upon a workpiece. The shaping assembly is pivotally connected with the frame and further connects with a first bit for shaping a recess in a planar surface of the workpiece. The boring assembly is also connected with the frame and further connects with a second bit for boring a through aperture into an edge of the workpiece, the edge being generally perpendicular to the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell, Daniel Paxton Wall
  • Patent number: 7143508
    Abstract: A nail spacing verification assembly is provided which enables the spacing between nails contained in a collated nail strip, the collated nail strip advancing down a nail loading assembly of a nail gun, to be verified before the nail is allowed to advance. A first and second probe are operationally coupled with each other. If nail spacing is correct, the first probe engages the second probe causing both probes to rotate and the nail to pass. If spacing is incorrect, the first probe does not engage the second probe and the nail is hindered from advancing down a nail loading assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Schnell, John M. Beville
  • Patent number: 7140817
    Abstract: A router bit system includes a bit (or bits) and a bit holding assembly for attaching the bit to the drive shaft of a router without the use of additional hand tools. The bit holding assembly, which is attached to the drive shaft of the router, includes a chuck having a bore for receiving a shank of the bit. A collar for engaging and releasing the bit from the bit holding assembly slides between a first position for engaging the bit and a second position for releasing the bit. The collar is biased to the first position for engaging the bit. The bit is capable of being received in a standard collet-type bit holder, such as a standard router collet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 7082689
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a keyless shoe lock assembly for a reciprocating saw. The keyless shoe lock assembly is capable of engaging and releasing a shoe bracket for the positional adjustment of a shoe relative to a blade clamp of the reciprocating saw. The keyless shoe lock assembly includes a shoe bracket for positional adjustment relative to a lock plate, a pin for alternately engaging and releasing the shoe bracket, and a lever connected to the pin for the rotation thereof. The keyless shoe lock assembly may be used to alternately engage and release a shoe bracket without additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Beville, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 7025242
    Abstract: An adjustable angle magazine provides the operator of a nail gun the ability to adjust the position of a housing of the magazine, which stores nails to be driven, relative to a nose casting of the nail gun. This repositioning enables an operator to employ a variety of nails, collated at a variety of angles, within the nail gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6938809
    Abstract: A nail lockout assembly provides a way for an operator of a nail gun to have determined whether the nails being employed are properly aligned to allow for efficient operation of the nail gun. The nail lockout assembly may be employed in a nail loading assembly, such as an adjustable angle magazine, which is coupled with a nail driving assembly. A slotted guide member disposed in a housing of the nail loading assembly provides a determination of the angle of the nail loading assembly relative to the nail driving assembly through operational engagement with a projection. A linkage bar is coupled with the slotted guide member and translates the angle of the nail loading assembly to a pusher which engages a nail loaded in the nail loading assembly. A cover serrated member is coupled with a cover of the nail loading assembly. A pawl assembly is coupled with the linkage bar and may engage with the cover serrated member. An adapter couples with the pusher and the pawl assembly enabling rotational movement in each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6913429
    Abstract: A bit retaining assembly for retaining a bit in a rotary tool, in particular a router such as a hand-held router, a table-mounted router, a pocket cutter, a laminate trimmer, a rotary cutout tool, or the like employs a planetary gear system for multiplying the torque applied to clamp the bit within a collet. The bit retaining assembly comprises a chuck for coupling the bit retaining assembly to the rotor shaft of the rotary tool. A collet is disposed in the chuck for receiving the bit. A nut threaded onto the chuck compresses the collet about the bit to secure the bit within the collet. A planetary gear system transmits torque applied to a housing member to the nut for rotating the nut on the chuck. Preferably, the planetary gear system multiplies the torque transmitted to the nut so that the torque transmitted to the nut is greater than the torque applied to the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell, John M. Beville
  • Patent number: 6846138
    Abstract: An offset base router includes an offset base assembly comprising a base coupled with a sub-base which provides an offset center of gravity and an aperture through which a bit may access a work piece. Additionally, the base and sub-base allow a dust collection system to be attached through them. The offset base router further includes a motor assembly comprising a motor casing which houses a motor. The motor assembly connects with a gear assembly comprising an inner gear casing which is housed in an outer gear casing that includes a grip. The inner gear casing houses an arbor assembly that connects with the bit and the motor. A height adjustment assembly coupled with the offset base assembly and the inner gear casing allows a user to adjust the height of the inner gear casing relative to the base and the sub-base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6506107
    Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Clowers, John W. Schnell
  • Publication number: 20020031992
    Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Porter Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Clowers, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6224471
    Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Clowers, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 6178646
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a jig saw blade clamp including a first clamp member defining a main slot. A second clamp member is positioned within the main slot. The first clamp member is moveable relative to the first clamp member between a first position in which the first and second clamp members are adapted to clamp a blade, and a second position in which the blade can be inserted between the first and second clamp members. A collar is pivotally moveable in first and second opposite directions relative to the first and second clamp members. The collar includes a cam portion that moves the second clamp member toward the first position when the collar is pivoted in the first direction, and also moves the second clamp member toward the second position when the collar is pivoted in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Schnell, Donald R. Bosten, Daniel P. Wall, James T. Stolzer
  • Patent number: 5934985
    Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Porter Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Clowers, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 5791977
    Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Earl R. Clowers, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 5575071
    Abstract: A clamping system for attaching a saw blade to a blade carrier of a reciprocating saw includes a clamp member having a tubular body and a hollow interior. The clamp member is mounted on the free end of a blade carrier which has a longitudinal slot for receiving the shank of a saw blade. The free end of the blade carrier has an aperture in its side wall. In a preferred embodiment a ball is received within the aperture and freely movable therein. The inner surface of the clamp member has an eccentric groove which defines a camming surface engaging the ball. Upon rotation of the clamp member to a locking position the ball engages an aperture in the shank of the blade to hold the blade in place. The clamp system is designed to accept saw blades having standard universal designs. In another preferred embodiment a pin is received within the aperture in the blade carrier. The pin has a first end which is adapted to be received within the aperture in the shank portion of the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell